Morning's Light

Glimpses of beauty and simplicity around the world.

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  • braided chignon

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    braided chignon, originally uploaded by piperaudrey.

    I love braids…. and would like to find a style for summer that looks simply elegant (as this photo does) but is not the tight-to-the-head french braid I normally try at home.

    Anyone know how to accomplish a style like this?

  • pretty simplicity

    Wall of summer - pretty
    "wall of summer" – a flickr image

    It's my birthday tomorrow and have an afternoon free today, so I'm going to go through my entire apartment and look at items asking, "Do I love it/need it?"  If it's neither of those, it's being donated this very afternoon to my favorite thrift store (it's a half hour drive away but it's extremely organized and non-thrift-store-smelling).  They do such a good job that I want to support that store.  The goal at home is pretty simplicity.

    Gorgeous laundry trolley

    This weekend includes a birthday party for a friend (she doesn't know we share the same birthday) on Saturday afternoon, a dinner and card-playin'-time with my mom, and lots of time to read, go for long walks, and relax.  One project I'd like to accomplish is posting inspiration items on the three white IKEA magnet boards that have been hanging up in my dining area for two months. 

  • Stripes

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    Stripes, originally uploaded by kitschcafe.

    Beautiful photo. I have a pillow similar to the one with the orange.

    Now to make a room at my place look like this. Can renters pull up drab beige carpeting and put in wood floors?!

  • san francisco vaca: sunday

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    The girls - posing 1

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    Sharing photos from my vaca in san francisco three weeks ago.  On this particular day, I was at my old church for the service – and to surprise people I hadn't seen in four years.
    • The church sign – on a building that is one hundred years old
    • Stacey and her daughter Olivia – both are gorgeous! 
    • One of those fluke photos that turn out so fun.  What was I laughing at?!   What's the rule again? Match your lipgloss to your sunburnt nose?!
    • The Girls posing after Claudia (2nd from the left) taught us the Princess Di pose of Chin Down + Look Up.  
    • Hug meeeee!!!!
    • Awww…cute! (before Olivia's friend wrapped her hands around Olivia's throat, choking her!) 
    Photos by sunnygirlsf

  • Craft Room + Office


    Craft Room + Office, originally uploaded by nataliezdrieu.

    I adore the orderliness and beauty of natalie's craft room and office. And her puppy Lulu! Charming!

    Craft room + office

  • reading list/goodreads

    BOOKS 2

    Dear Books I've Read:

    I'm sorry – I haven't kept up with a list of books I've read nor recorded what thoughts I had about each of you – such as what I've learned, what I liked about you, and what drove me crazy!  It was a fluke today (merrily going along – clicking links) that led to goodreads - a place to record all the books I have read, am reading and want to read…. and it turns out, many of my friends are on there too!  Who knew?!  

    Now I'll be able to list each of you as well as add new friends to the list as I come across book recommendations.  Somehow life has just gotten a bit easier – now that I won't have to keep track of book titles on scraps of paper that tend to multiply then get lost.

    Sincerely,

    S.

  • do over + jimmy fallon

    Maruca bag - for me

    Friday was not a good day. I wanted to yell, "DO OVER" so many times that day…but a highlight was finding out that my local independent bookstore carried these adorable Maruca bags.   I'd like to go back and buy one in that stripe/leafy pattern.  It's gorgeous.  [the odd caption is because the photo is one of two sent to someone to show the bags I bought that day: one for me and one for someone else.]

    bought  A cute lamp, a laundry organizer that has an interior frame, and some measuring spoons – at IKEA and an adorable reusable shopping bag that folds up to be put into a little pouch – at The Container Store. 

    high-fived myself for putting some items back at both IKEA and The Container Store and saving some money.

    splurged on said saved money at bath & body works (lip glosses) and lunch (cheesecake factory)

    accomplished some procrastinated tasks including putting away three loads of clean laundry (one of these days I'll learn to do it right away), sorting through a (cute, orla kiely) inbox of papers – most of which were outdated sales flyers that subtley multiply, and putting items in a "donate" bag and away in some empty boxes just waiting to be stowed away neatly.   watched a movie I'd had from netflix since april 2. Yes… that's 67 days in my home..for a cost of more than $20 in monthly fees.  Netflix must love me!

    helped a friend video two graduations in three days and discovered that graduations of people you don't know are quite long – and it helps to sing songs in your head during the boring parts..uh..recognition of said graduates.  And it seems to be a universal fact that no matter how cold and drizzly it is outside, inside a graduation ceremony will be hot and stuffy. guaranteed.

    to do list for today: download some rockin' 80s tunes (like I Love Rock 'n Roll) and also the Jimmy Fallon song "Idiot Boyfriend".   In the car on the way back from IKEA, Kirsten was playing mostly 80s songs but had a song by the BeeGees as well..which had us both laughing at the SNL skit with Jimmy Fallon in it.  

    http://www.hulu.com/embed/gAGMFJSdvBrsh7s31Pyqvw

  • pink + red + white [bedding]

    Pink + red bedding
    I need new bedding + love these colors.  Looks like I found a solution. Coincides with a weekend visit to IKEA.  yippee!!

  • pretty amazing giveaway

    oh, hello friend is having a blog anniversary giveaway.  not one or two items but many beautiful items….all for a lucky winner!

    It's Friday.  Am sleep-walking through my day thanks to a 1/4 dose of a sleep aid… which I took because of getting home late last night after helping a friend video an 8th grade graduation – after a dinner at which I drank coke in preparation for the graduation event (so I could stay awake).  Could you follow that?  End result is not worth it… am in a daze.   Perhaps this will give my friends the edge tonight when we play cards and they win big-time.

    The weekend ahead holds a trip to IKEA, a barbecue, another video gig at another graduation, and maybe some laundry and clothes sorting before a trip to the thrift store to donate bags of items.  

    Have a great weekend!!

  • imagination station

    Wow.  So…my church is having church away from the church building this weekend so that we can all volunteer in the community.  One project my church and employers are working on is Imagination Station, a universally accessible playground.  

    The church has left the building - 1
    The man on the left (in the red shirt..not the man in the construction vest) is the outreach pastor – Mac.  On his right, wearing the nametag stating "Bryan" is Youth Guy (Bryan Roe).  I'll find a better photo of him for you.

    Meanwhile, here's our senior pastor, Terry. 

    Imagination 121 - pastor terry
    Ahh..here's a better photo of Bryan…
    Imagination station - bryan

    And doesn't she look like Jennifer Lopez?! 
    Imagination station - jennifer lopez